The Tahirih Justice Center, ASISTA, API-GBV, and Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network are national nonprofits that advocate with and for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence and have found that detained applicants for U visas - and potentially other protected survivors - are listed in the new searchable Department of Homeland Security Victim Information Notification Exchange (DHS-VINE) online database.

Victims of crimes such as human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault may be eligible for relief under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000, specifically as VAWA self-petitioners, T, or U visa applicants. There are special protections for these applicants' confidentiality under U.S. law, and these provisions are essential, since perpetrators may try to locate and harm victims, undermine and interfere with their cases in order to maintain power and control, or jeopardize victims' eligibility for relief.

Under the law, DHS is prohibited from disclosing any information about a VAWA applicant, U, or T visa holder to a third-party, with certain limited exceptions. The Tahirih Justice Center informed the Department of Homeland Security that applicants for U, T, and VAWA protection, including Tahirih clients, are listed in the DHS-VINE database on May 12, 2017 and again on May 25, 2017.

Although DHS has received several notifications about this breach of confidentiality, they have not removed these victims' federally protected information. Their listing in the public database is a violation of federal statute which carries significant penalties under the law, and puts survivors' lives in danger. Advocates requested that DHS either remove the victims' information immediately or shut down the entire VINE database by Friday, May 26.

Sense of Community is positively linked to community participation and mental health. For this reason, connection to grassroots organizations and Latinx identity may help explain the success of promotora and similar peer-model programs.

Older adult survivors of abuse have a complex set of circumstances and often poor options to consider. Elder abuse survivors may have additional needs requiring service providers to examine how they are currently delivering services and how their policies and practices may help or hinder an older survivor.

Survey Results Published Outlining Changes in Behavior of Immigrant Survivors

Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network, API-GBV, ASISTA, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, NNEDV,and the Tahirih Justice Center just released a survey of the field outlining recent changes in attitudes and behaviors of immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The survey results show that increased entanglement of local and state law enforcement in federal immigration efforts have had a significant impact on immigrant survivors.

Muslim Advocates and the Center for New Community invite you to join a call this Friday, May 26 at 12pm ET / 9am PT to 1) share information about the national anti-Muslim protests planned by ACT for America during the Islamic month of Ramadan and 2) coordinate our efforts to push back against this xenophobia and hate.

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, particularly in locations in which protests are planned (list below), and do not hesitate to reach out to madihha@muslimadvocates.org or lindsay@newcomm.org with any questions.

This finance director is the lead financial position for the organization and is responsible for providing sound financial oversight, management, and leadership while promoting Casa de Esperanza's objectives and goals. The finance director supervises two accountants.

The Coalition on Human Needs is seeking a highly motivated, organized, and energetic individual to work with our small staff and large network of partner organizations. The Communications Associate will be responsible for two main areas of work: Policy/Communications & Office Management

ABOUT THE NATIONAL LATIN@ NETWORK FOR HEALTHY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

The National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities is a network of individuals and organizations committed to improving the health and well-being of Latin@ communities. The National Latin@ Network is led by Casa de Esperanza, a national Latina organization whose mission is to mobilize Latinas and Latin@ communities to end domestic violence. The National Latin@Network for Healthy Families and Communities builds on Casa de Esperanza´s experience working in local communities to support families, end domestic violence, and increase meaningful access to services for Latina@s and incorporates a research center, public policy initiative, and training.